|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 28
Enthusiast
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 28 |
Based on my own research & what I've read plus the positive comments from this forum... I've decided to purchase the Mega Pak 2012...I noticed it doesn't come with tutorials.. Why is that? Are we supposed to learn by trial & error or this forum?...can we purchase tutorials separately?..also, can anyone suggest a good simple interface...is there anything that is a "must have" that doesn't come with the Mega Pak? I'm using win 7x64 6mg mem & 1.5 t hard drive......not a lot of other mem eating apps on my pc....thanks very much
BAIB 2012
Studio One 2 Pro
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
Rethink this. You don't get Real Tracks or Real Drums either. It's a MIDI only package.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,439
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,439 |
To actually answer your question (and welcome to the forums -- love your user name!), there are a great many online tutorials right here. And, the very basic functions really are easy -- it's literally: - Set up your MIDI -- the Help file should have that in great detail
- Pick a musical style from the Style Picker (the button that says "Style" just below and to the left of the name of the song) -- if it says it has to rebuild, click Yes
- Input chords (up to four in each bar) -- e.g., C, D7, Am, Bsus, whatever. If you want two chord changes in a half-bar, separate them with commas
- Click "Play"
That really, really is all you need to do. And we promise, we answer questions here, and we don't bite. Much.  As to the other stuff... as silvertones says, getting RealDrums and RealTracks will give you a quantum leap in sound quality. And they work together seamlessly with MIDI. And your computer sounds plenty beefy enough. (I too have Win7/64 and 6 GB RAM -- what processor do you have?) Interface: What precisely do you want to interface with, i.e., what are you using with BIAB -- a keyboard controller, a hardware synth...? Give us a little more info, if you could.
Last edited by filkertom; 02/20/12 06:11 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 28
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 28 |
Thanks, glad you mentioned real drums & real tracks....I just want to play around & record guitar/voice with biab arrangement...not really intending to go public...I'm near raleigh....any other tips you can suggest will be appreciated...which interface do you suggest?
BAIB 2012
Studio One 2 Pro
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 28
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 28 |
Thanks, my pc is equipped with AMD FX-6100 six-core processor [3.3GHz, 6MB L2/8MB L3 Cache]....I want a guitar/mic interface so i can record guitar & voice...sorry to sound so naive but I'm just getting into this recording stuff..was gonna go with pro tools then a friend mentioned biab and from what I've read I like it...my user name is the name of my 2 female boxers...again thanks for your input
BAIB 2012
Studio One 2 Pro
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,340
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,340 |
The MegaPAK certainly does come with some RealTracks and RealDrums. It has a basic package with 160 RealTracks and sets 1 through 6 of RealDrums. See http://www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.packages.htmThis gives you to opportunity to experiment with RealTracks and RealDrums, so you can decide if you wish to purchase more. There are currently somewhere around 1,000 RealTracks and 29 sets of RealDrums.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,439
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,439 |
Quote:
Thanks, my pc is equipped with AMD FX-6100 six-core processor [3.3GHz, 6MB L2/8MB L3 Cache]....I want a guitar/mic interface so i can record guitar & voice...sorry to sound so naive but I'm just getting into this recording stuff..was gonna go with pro tools then a friend mentioned biab and from what I've read I like it...my user name is the name of my 2 female boxers...again thanks for your input
Kewl, beefier than mine indeed. There are many possible interfaces out there -- the cheapest and easiest are from M-Audio, both the Fast Track (which hooks up to your computer through one of the USB ports) and Audio Buddy (which plugs in through the sound card). I have them both, and I actually use Audio Buddy more. (Any other suggestions on USB interfaces, crew?)
Pro Tools is What Everybody Uses (Except For All The People Who Use Other Stuff), y'know? You've already got BIAB and RealBand; for your purposes, that should honestly be enough.
Best, Tom SmithWin10/64 • i7-8700K • 24 GB RAM BIAB 2025 • Reaper 7 • Izotope MPS AKG C1000S • IK iRig I/O Pro
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
Quote:
The MegaPAK certainly does come with some RealTracks and RealDrums.
It has a basic package with 160 RealTracks and sets 1 through 6 of RealDrums. See http://www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.packages.htm
This gives you to opportunity to experiment with RealTracks and RealDrums, so you can decide if you wish to purchase more. There are currently somewhere around 1,000 RealTracks and 29 sets of RealDrums.
But there combos? Not sure what that's about.Can you still use individual RTs?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 28
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 28 |
Yes Matt, it does say it comes with 1-6 drum sets but there is no demo for set 1.....does anyone know what set 1 is?...I play mostly classic rock & blues would be nice to know what set 1 is before purchasing...I called PG and they just said set 1 was a combo. thanks
BAIB 2012
Studio One 2 Pro
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,340
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,340 |
Hi John. Not sure what you mean by 'combos'. RealStyles? Or if you mean 'RealCombos', this FAQ will help: http://www.pgmusic.com/salesfaq1.htm#45We have always been able to select individual RealTracks for any instrument. I still do it that way, rather than looking for any assistance from groupings.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,340
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,340 |
gypsyrosegracie, this page shows what is in each RealDrum set. http://www.pgmusic.com/realdrums.php?os=winSets 1 through 6 (see the bottom of the page) already come with the MegaPAK.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 28
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 28 |
Matt, yes the link you posted shows realdrum sets except for Set #1...all pg was able to tell me is set #1 is a combo set...I play mostly classic rock & blues set 2-6 doesn't list either...how do we know what is in set 1?...looks like I need set 21...or maybe im confused...thanks
BAIB 2012
Studio One 2 Pro
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,340
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,340 |
Oh, I see what you mean now; the specifics are not listed for that one.
I think perhaps they mean that Set 1 is a collection of various styles; that's what they meant by combo, as opposed to emphasizing one or two styles of music as the later sets do. If I recall correctly, and it's been many years, that first set of RealDrums had a little of everything; sort of like a sampler.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
Quote:
Oh, I see what you mean now; the specifics are not listed for that one.
I think perhaps they mean that Set 1 is a collection of various styles; that's what they meant by combo, as opposed to emphasizing one or two styles of music as the later sets do. If I recall correctly, and it's been many years, that first set of RealDrums had a little of everything; sort of like a sampler.
Right. I'm just not sure if those RT Combos are somehow locked as Combos only or if you can use the individual RTs that make up the Combos. Just want the OP to get what's best.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,592
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,592 |
Hello, RealDrums Set 1 includes: BossaBrushes JazzBrushes RockEven8 RockEven16 You can see a list of the other RealDrums here: http://www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.packages.ultra.htm#rdlistQuote:
..I'm just not sure if those RT Combos are somehow locked as Combos only or if you can use the individual RTs that make up the Combos. Just want the OP to get what's best.
You can use each of the individual RealTracks, just as you are used to. Rather than including a random assortment of RealTracks with the Pro and MegaPAK versions, we combine a few RealTracks together to make a band, and make an .STY, and that's a RealCombo that we include. So while you only have a fraction of the total # RealTracks available, you still have the instruments needed to form complete bands in various genres.
Andrew
PG Music Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 581
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 581 |
If you can possibly swing an extra $200 go for the UltraPlusPak on the external USB hard drive. If not, get started and upgrade later. But at some point you WILL want those extra real tracks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Video: New User Interface (GUI)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,303
Posts790,752
Members39,855
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean